Question:

Thanks a lot! This schedule really helps.

Response:

You can check schedules on Hyper Dia at the URL below. http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ As you may already know, you cannot use the Japan Rail Pass on the premier Nozomi services, so you will need to catch Hikari or Hikari Rail Star trains and change en route (usually Shin-Osaka or Shin-Kobe is best).

And JR Central provides official timetable in English:         http://jr-central.co.jp/english.nsf/doc/timetable/$FILE/Eastbound.pdf            aka Delmonta            http://www.ht.sakura.ne.jp/~delmonta/

Response:

Well, may be I should ask a more direct question. I will have to catch a 5:45 flight from Narita. Can I get to the airport from Hiroshima in one day? I would be glad to ride the fastest and greatest of "Bullet trains", but it looks like that Rail Pass will not give me even a partial credit for the cost of the ticket.

Can you? Yes. Is that a good idea? Not at all. John W.

Response:

Well, may be I should ask a more direct question. I will have to catch a 5:45 flight from Narita. Can I get to the airport from Hiroshima in one day? I would be glad to ride the fastest and greatest of "Bullet trains", but it looks like that Rail Pass will not give me even a partial credit for the cost of the ticket.

It is certainly feasible to travel from Hiroshima directly on the same day. I would suggest taking an earlier departure from Hiroshima than those that Hiromitsu suggested, as you will want to be at Narita at least 2 hours before departure. You can check schedules on Hyper Dia at the URL below. http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ As you may already know, you cannot use the Japan Rail Pass on the premier Nozomi services, so you will need to catch Hikari or Hikari Rail Star trains and change en route (usually Shin-Osaka or Shin-Kobe is best). — Dave Fossett Saitama, Japan

Response:

Well, may be I should ask a more direct question. I will have to catch a 5:45 flight from Narita. Can I get to the airport from Hiroshima in one day?

Yes, definitely you can. I would be glad to ride the fastest and greatest of "Bullet trains"

The trains available for your schedule are:         (a) Spend two hours at the Airport         Hikari #352 "RailStar":  Hiroshima  9:55 – 11:28 Shin-Osaka         Hikari #310           : Shin-Osaka 11:43 – 14:43 Tokyo         Narita Express #29    :      Tokyo 15:03 – 15:57 Narita Airport         (b) Lunch-at-Shin-Osaka plan         Hikari #272       : Shin-Osaka 12:20 – 15:10 Tokyo         Narita Express #31:      Tokyo 15:33 – 16:28 Narita Airport         Note: There is no good approach from Hiroshima to Hikari #272.               Take Hikari #352 above and spend an hour at Shin-Osaka.         (c) Lunch-in-the-train plan         Hikari #356       :  Hiroshima 11:00 – 12:34 Shin-Osaka         Hikari #312       : Shin-Osaka 12:43 – 15:43 Tokyo         Narita Express #33:      Tokyo 16:03 – 16:57 Narita Airport You’ll take about 10 minutes at Tokyo station for transfer from a Shinkansen track to a Narita Line track, while in Shin-Osaka you’ll take only two or three minutes between Shinkansen trains.            aka Delmonta            http://www.ht.sakura.ne.jp/~delmonta/

Response:

Another question. Japan Rail Pass doesn’t include "Nozomi" trains. But when I look at http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ I can’t find any other trains between Tokyo and Hiroshima. I am not sure how can Itravel between those cities. It might also be better to search for a two-stage trip e.g. Toyko- ShinOsaka-Hiroshima. Dunno, though, as I’ve never tried to do this trip stright thoush, myself (although I know people who *did* do it back in April 2003).

Right. You’ll usually change Hikari trains at Shin-Osaka. In the area from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima, "Hikari RailStar" trains are very comfortable, on which you get virtually first-class seat by economy class fare.            aka Delmonta            http://www.ht.sakura.ne.jp/~delmonta/

Response:

Well, may be I should ask a more direct question. I will have to catch a 5:45 flight from Narita. Can I get to the airport from Hiroshima in one day? I would be glad to ride the fastest and greatest of "Bullet trains", but it looks like that Rail Pass will not give me even a partial credit for the cost of the ticket. Gene

Response:

Thanks everyone! Another question. Japan Rail Pass doesn’t include "Nozomi" trains. But when I look at http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ I can’t find any other trains between Tokyo and Hiroshima. I am not sure how can Itravel between those cities.

The hyperdia site only covers some of the train services. It is easy to travel between Tokyo and Hiroshima using any of the kodama or hikari trains. You *may* have to change trains once – but the information will be bilingual and easy to understand. Regards Declan http://www.yamasa.org

Response:

2004 12:42:27a Thanks everyone! Another question. Japan Rail Pass doesn’t include "Nozomi" trains. But when I look at http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ I can’t find any other trains between Tokyo and Hiroshima. I am not sure how can Itravel between those cities.

Because of the cutbacks to non-Nozomi services, you may have to vary your desired departure time to get close enough to one that Hyperdia will find for you. Also, Hyperdia only returns 5 results at a time, which might demote some less direct connections. I can look up a paper timetable I have, if you’d like examples of actual possible connections (my timetable dates from about March this year so it should take into account the most recent cutbacks). It might also be better to search for a two-stage trip e.g. Toyko- ShinOsaka-Hiroshima. Dunno, though, as I’ve never tried to do this trip stright thoush, myself (although I know people who *did* do it back in April 2003). — Chris

Response:

Thanks everyone! Another question. Japan Rail Pass doesn’t include "Nozomi" trains. But when I look at http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/ I can’t find any other trains between Tokyo and Hiroshima. I am not sure how can Itravel between those cities.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Dear Gene, In November it is extremely busy, as it is the best season to sea the fall-colours. I am not sure about the countryside, but most hotels (cheap to expensive) in Kyoto are already now VERY full. I would definitly book ahead, if you go to the countryside, you might try youthhostels. Nice,cheap hotels and ryokan in the cities like Kyoto however HAVE to be booked now. I think you are already a bit late. You might try the website of hte JNTO www.jnto.go.jp

You might have info that I don’t, but fall season is from now for about the next two or three weeks. I’ve been to Japan in November and it’s as uncrowded as you can get. Actually, October is not crowded either, though on weekends most tourist spots are (predictably enough). I have done last minute travel in the busiest seasons (New Years and Golden Week) and had absolutely no problems finding a place to stay. Sure you might not be in the best ryokan in Kyoto, but stay in Osaka, or Kobe, or Himeji and you’re fine. John W.

Response:

Dear Gene, In November it is extremely busy, as it is the best season to sea the fall-colours. I am not sure about the countryside, but most hotels (cheap to expensive) in Kyoto are already now VERY full. I would definitly book ahead, if you go to the countryside, you might try youthhostels. Nice,cheap hotels and ryokan in the cities like Kyoto however HAVE to be booked now. I think you are already a bit late. You might try the website of hte JNTO www.jnto.go.jp Hope you will still succeed! Giny Tozai Travel Amsterdam – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello! Please help me with Japan questions. Traveling over there in a second half of November.   1.. Should I book all accommodations in advance or try to have more flexibility and find a place to sleep upon arrival, considering my preference to cheaper places and zero Japanese skills?   2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me.   3.. Looks like trains between major cities are frequent. I am planning to buy a rail pass. Is there a chance that train will be so full, that I will not be able to find a seat? Gene

Response:

  1.. Should I book all accommodations in advance or try to have more flexibility and find a place to sleep upon arrival, considering my preference to cheaper places and zero Japanese skills? Definitely book accomodations in advance.  Inexpensive places are few in number in most major destinations, and tend to fill up.

Actually there are many inexpensive places to stay, and outside of major holiday times and resorts, most of the best deals (in any country) are found in country, at least in my experience. John W.

Response:

  1.. Should I book all accommodations in advance or try to have more flexibility and find a place to sleep upon arrival, considering my preference to cheaper places and zero Japanese skills?

Definitely book accomodations in advance.  Inexpensive places are few in number in most major destinations, and tend to fill up.   2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me.

There are Internet cafes all over the place in the major cities.

Response:

2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me.

In major cities, there are many internet cafes. Unfortunately, most of their PCs are with Japanese version of Windows and you cannot connect your private PC. 3.. Looks like trains between major cities are frequent. I am planning to buy a rail pass. Is there a chance that train will be so full, that I will not be able to find a seat?

Most trains have non-reserved seats. You may have to keep standing if no seat is available, but anyway you can go to the destination. Additionally, November is considered to be off-season and it will be easier to find a seat than in New Year vacation season. If you buy a first class (called "Green Car") rail pass, it will be much easier to get a seat, since first class seats are less occupied than economy class ones.            aka Delmonta            http://www.ht.sakura.ne.jp/~delmonta/

Response:

  2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me. we were staying in western style youth hostels mostly which had net access.

free wifi seemed pretty common in tokyo and elsewhere, I was there on a conference, online most of the time, and even when people distributed off to different hotels etc. they often turned up wifi to be available. Someone also said Mosburger had free wifi, but I never actually looked for it. Jim.

Response:

Hello! Please help me with Japan questions. Traveling over there in a second half of November.   1.. Should I book all accommodations in advance or try to have more flexibility and find a place to sleep upon arrival, considering my preference to cheaper places and zero Japanese skills?

In my experience you can typically get a better rate if you wait until you arrive to get your accomodations; this also gives you more flexibility. A lot of decent hotels are smaller and I’ve found you can get good prices at check in. An example is the Hotel Sungarden in Himeji, which online shows around Yen8,000 for a single; when I lived in Himeji I regularly saw promotions for that hotel at much lower rates. The downside is that you will spend a certain amount of time searching for lodging in a foreign land, dealing with non-English speaking hotel staff.   2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me.

Can’t help out here, unfortunately. Many hotels do; that much I know.   3.. Looks like trains between major cities are frequent. I am planning to buy a rail pass. Is there a chance that train will be so full, that I will not be able to find a seat?

There is always a chance the train will be full. However, if you’re traveling outside of peak seasons you should be fine. If you want you can always reserve a seat, even just before getting on the train. A good link (if you don’t have it) for train travel is www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english; great for rail travel planning. I’d bookmark that on your laptop and, if you do find Web access you can plan out the next day easier. John W.

Response:

  1.. Should I book all accommodations in advance or try to have more flexibility and find a place to sleep upon arrival, considering my preference to cheaper places and zero Japanese skills?

well when i visited recently (backpacking) i felt more comfortable booking ahead. As it was so expensive (the most expensive country on our trip) we felt really apprehensive about turning up to where we went (kyoto, fukuoka, tokyo) with nothing booked just in case we got left high and dry at night with no option but to pay some exorbitant fee at the only hotels we could find at the time. in thailand or india for us it wouldn’t have been that much of a problem, but in japan for us it would have been crippling for our budget if we were unlucky. try this website for a potential hotel bargain:  www.coo.ne.jp/english/  you have to be lucky to find a real bargain but they are a real possibility with this website.   2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me.

we were staying in western style youth hostels mostly which had net access. from sunil

Response:

Hello! Please help me with Japan questions. Traveling over there in a second half of November.   1.. Should I book all accommodations in advance or try to have more flexibility and find a place to sleep upon arrival, considering my preference to cheaper places and zero Japanese skills?   2.. How easy to obtain Internet access, either from public computer or by means of prepaid card. I will have a laptop with me.   3.. Looks like trains between major cities are frequent. I am planning to buy a rail pass. Is there a chance that train will be so full, that I will not be able to find a seat? Gene

Response:

Question:

True that, Sue.  True that.

There are some people who never have anything valuable to say, especially the trolls.  I use my kill filter, it cuts out the flotsam & jetsam.   I had a hard time getting Dennis P. Harris in my kill filter, after the 3rd time it worked.  Anybody else have that problem?   Becca  <—–kill filters rule! Norwegian Dawn http://www.cruisemaster.com/dawn.htm Sleazy3 http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody notice how nice it’s been around here lately?  No personal attacks, flame wars, accusations, hurt feelings, snideness or rudeness, or attitudes. Just happy folks talking about cruising.  This is what RTC is all about, no? Guess you haven’t read all the posts, Skip! He probably has a very large kill file(grin).

True that, Sue.  True that.

Response:

I think you are right! I see what’s going on in various NGs, and for the most part the people here actually talk about the NG topic! A novel concept these days … http://www.walkvancouver.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody notice how nice it’s been around here lately?  No personal attacks, flame wars, accusations, hurt feelings, snideness or rudeness, or attitudes. Just happy folks talking about cruising.  This is what RTC is all about, no?

Response:

Anybody notice how nice it’s been around here lately?  No personal attacks, flame wars, accusations, hurt feelings, snideness or rudeness, or attitudes. Just happy folks talking about cruising.  This is what RTC is all about, no?

Response:

Anybody notice how nice it’s been around here lately?  No personal attacks, flame wars, accusations, hurt feelings, snideness or rudeness, or attitudes. Just happy folks talking about cruising.  This is what RTC is all about,

no? Guess you haven’t read all the posts, Skip! –Jean

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Anybody notice how nice it’s been around here lately?  No personal attacks, flame wars, accusations, hurt feelings, snideness or rudeness, or attitudes. Just happy folks talking about cruising.  This is what RTC is all about, no? Guess you haven’t read all the posts, Skip!

He probably has a very large kill file(grin). sue

Response:

I expect to take the airport shuttle into Nice. Could you recommend a friendly B&B within walking distance, with a 4-year old child in tow? Budget: FF300/double/night. The last time I visited Nice, we stayed in a nice place straight up from the coach stop in front of the main beach heading towards the train station. Can’t remember the name, tho. We expect to visit the towns along the railway line from Nice. Is there a special unlimited day-ticket available to visit Monte Carlo & Cannes?

Yes, it is called a "Carte Isabelle", good  for unlimited travel on the line that runs from Menton to Marseilles along the coast.  It is only good for one day, you must purchase at a station that has a ticket window if not for use on the actual day of purchase.  I’m going to hedge a little here….the "Carte Isabelle" was available as of last July – but things do change.  Just ask for it by name from the ticket seller at the Nice station. BobP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Finally, would you recommend Nice or Monaco for B&Bs?

Response:

bonjour check on http://www.nicetourism.com you have choice of hotels + on line booking facilitities thanks michel PacificNet a *crit : I expect to take the airport shuttle into Nice. Could you recommend a friendly B&B within walking distance, with a 4-year old child in tow? Budget: FF300/double/night. The last time I visited Nice, we stayed in a nice place straight up from the coach stop in front of the main beach heading towards the train station. Can’t remember the name, tho. We expect to visit the towns along the railway line from Nice. Is there a special unlimited day-ticket available to visit Monte Carlo & Cannes? Finally, would you recommend Nice or Monaco for B&Bs?

– Le Splendid est un hotel 4* de tradition aux conforts modernes: television par satellite, prises modem, salles de conferences, etc The Splendid is an exclusive 4* boutique hotel with modern amenities: modem plugs, satellite tv, conference facilities, internet access etc      http://www.splendid-nice.com Le Gounod est un 3* de charme, avec parking, climatisation, etc The Gounod is a charming 3 stars property with parking, air conditioning, etc      http://www.gounod-nice.com webcam:http://www.nicetourism.com/FR/html/voir/webcam/webcam.html En plein centre ville et

Question:

Thanks a lot John for all the great info! It will sure make it a lot easier for us. Doug

Response:

We’ve purchased a one day JR West Pass to use April 23rd. We plan to go from Osaka to Himeji in the morning and then return from Himeji that afternoon, stopping in Kobe for a few hours before getting back to Osaka that night. Since we can’t use it on the shinkansen, what’s the next best (fastest) train we can use? We’d like to get to Himeji sometime before 11am; then maybe get  back to Kobe by 3 or 4pm; and finally return to Osaka by 10pm. Does that sound realistic? Thanks for any advice anyone can offer. Doug  

Response:

We’ve purchased a one day JR West Pass to use April 23rd. We plan to go from Osaka to Himeji in the morning and then return from Himeji that afternoon, stopping in Kobe for a few hours before getting back to Osaka that night. Since we can’t use it on the shinkansen, what’s the next best (fastest) train we can use? We’d like to get to Himeji sometime before 11am; then maybe get  back to Kobe by 3 or 4pm; and finally return to Osaka by 10pm. Does that sound realistic? Thanks for any advice anyone can offer. Doug  

The next fastest is the Shin Kaisoku, departing Himeji station (from the castle side, go up the steps and down to the next platform; at least that’s where the train stopped the last time I rode it a couple of years ago). It’s about an hour. You can get schedules from http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/. I’d set aside more time in Himeji, but I have a personal bias. I’d try to get there around 10 or so. That gives you plenty of time to walk to the castle (go down the shopping street; exit the station and you’ll see it to your right, past the taxis), do the tour, and maybe even visit kokoen next to the castle (it’s sort of a recreated old-fashioned village/park). Also, if you pick up a bento (box lunch) someplace there’s a beautiful park behind the castle; just follow the path/moat around. It’s a neat walk in any case, with interesting views of the castle itself and a shrine/temple to boot. There are some museums back there as well, but I don’t think they have English exhibits. If you decide to eat in Himeji, you’ll have a variety to choose from. On the station’s South side (not the castle side) there’s a restaurant that has pretty good pizza; it’s in the tall silver building over to your right (west) as you exit the station. Also a Mr. Donuts as you exit the shopping street towards the castle, in case you want a snack. And the Sanyo Department Store (immediately to the West as you exit on the castle side; it has a big sign on it) has a wide variety of food in it’s basement. Some things can be pricey, but there’s an excellent bread shop and a Croquette (pron. ko-ro-ke) place that I really like, in case you want to take something for a picnic. There’s also a grocery there. And Himeji has a Starbucks, in case you like their coffee and need a ‘fix’. The following links might help re Himeji. http://www.city.himeji.hyogo.jp/english/himeji/index.html http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/english/himeji1.html (has a decent map) http://www.himeji-iec.or.jp/index_en.html The reason I suggest moving things up an hour is that there’s no daylight savings time in Japan. So if you get to Kobe around 4, you won’t have time to actually do much (at least daylight stuff). Three o’clock should be fine, however I personally think Himeji might be more of a tourist attraction than Kobe. But there are tons of good restaurants in the city, and plenty of bars. Note that the entertainment district is at Sannomiya station; for the small China Town you’ll want to get off at Motomachi (not a Shinkaisoku stop, so you’ll need to change trains at Kobe station). Also at Motomachi is a rather interesting set of shops under the tracks. I haven’t been in several years, but it used to be a flea market sort of place, with some serious shops (antiques, kimonos, etc.) and some that are more like dollar stores. You exit the station on the South side, turn right along the tracks, and the shops are under the tracks heading back West (towards Himeji). Honestly, unless you have friends in Kobe I can’t see that you’ll need that much time there, particularly since it’ll be dark. I love Kobe and think it’s a great city. John W.

Response:

I cannot be sure, but my experience is that it goes by day and will expire at mid-night. "John W." 寫入： – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let’s say I get a one-day JR West Kansai Area pass, Yen2,000, and I ‘activate’ it at 6:00 pm. Does the pass expire the next day at 6:00 pm, or at midnight? The JR West site doesn’t say (at least the English site doesn’t), and I’d like to stop over in Osaka for a few beers before heading out into the hinterlands (well, Himeji, anyway). If the pass expires at midnight, that’ll mean I’ll need to not stay out as long as I’d planned (or pay). Also, if the pass expires the next day at 6 pm then I can run back into Kobe/Osaka before it expires. Thanks for the help. John W.

Response:

I think it will be good for only one calendar day.  So even if you activate it at 6pm, it will expire at midnight that same day….a six-hour pass.

That was my gut feeling, but I thought I’d check. It’s still actually a good deal (the trip from the airport to Himeji on JR costs over Yen2000, plus there’s the stopping for a few beers). I’ll just have to watch my time. I wonder if I get on before midnight and off afterwards if they’ll say anything at the exit station (Himeji)? I’ve got an email into the JR office in the US, so I’ll see what they say (if they answer). Thanks! John W. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let’s say I get a one-day JR West Kansai Area pass, Yen2,000, and I ‘activate’ it at 6:00 pm. Does the pass expire the next day at 6:00 pm, or at midnight? The JR West site doesn’t say (at least the English site doesn’t), and I’d like to stop over in Osaka for a few beers before heading out into the hinterlands (well, Himeji, anyway). If the pass expires at midnight, that’ll mean I’ll need to not stay out as long as I’d planned (or pay). Also, if the pass expires the next day at 6 pm then I can run back into Kobe/Osaka before it expires. Thanks for the help. John W.

Response:

good deal (the trip from the airport to Himeji on JR costs over Yen2000, plus there’s the stopping for a few beers). Be careful, the beers may cost you easily more than 2000 I’ve got an email into the JR office in the US, so I’ll see what they say (if they answer). Post the results here!

Dear John, I work for Tozai Travel, Amsterdam and we issue the Japan Rail Pass. When you exchange the voucher for the railpass in Japan, the first date and the last date is written on the pass. So if you exchange it on f.i. 6 March, that will be the first date. If it is 2 days valid, 7 March will be the last date. Giny Tozai Travel Amsterdam www.tozai.nl

Response:

Let’s say I get a one-day JR West Kansai Area pass, Yen2,000, and I ‘activate’ it at 6:00 pm. Does the pass expire the next day at 6:00 pm, or at midnight? The JR West site doesn’t say (at least the English site doesn’t), and I’d like to stop over in Osaka for a few beers before heading out into the hinterlands (well, Himeji, anyway). If the pass expires at midnight, that’ll mean I’ll need to not stay out as long as I’d planned (or pay). Also, if the pass expires the next day at 6 pm then I can run back into Kobe/Osaka before it expires. Thanks for the help. John W.

Response:

Question:

I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price. ANyone know of a place I can get tix cheaper than the eurorail site? THANKS, Bob

Response:

I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price. ANyone know of a place I can get tix cheaper than the eurorail site?

Buying a ticket at the airport train station in Amsterdam would be cheaper than the Eurail site. Easier too. Or you could take a bus (e.g., www.eurolines.nl). Or fly (www.aerfares.net). miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu Latest addition: 80 photos from Guatemala

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price. ANyone know of a place I can get tix cheaper than the eurorail site? Buying a ticket at the airport train station in Amsterdam would be cheaper than the Eurail site. Easier too. Or you could take a bus (e.g., www.eurolines.nl). Or fly (www.aerfares.net). miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu Latest addition: 80 photos from Guatemala

My suggestion – one out of many – take EasyJet from Amsterdam to Nice and then continue by train from Nice via Genoa and Pisa to Florence. Italian rail fares are much cheaper than in North European countries. Cheers, Richard H. -Posted by Ozum (http://ozinsight.com/) -All-in-one yEnc newsreader, scanner and freeware autoposter.

Response:

I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price.

Look into the KLM special fares city to city.  The international train is very likely to be more expensive.  Bus (coach) fares will be cheaper and take longer, but it is likely you won’t find a direct line.

Response:

Look into the KLM special fares city to city.  The international train is very likely to be more expensive.  Bus (coach) fares will be cheaper and take longer, but it is likely you won’t find a direct line.

I’ll second that.  AMS-Florence is a hell of a schlep by train – 18 hours or so.  There are direct trains from Paris Bercy (Amsterdam to Paris is reasonably straightforward, either direct on the Thalys or regular train to Brussels and Thalys from there).  Meridiana (www.meridiana.it/english) offer fares from EUR18 (USD18) plus tax from AMS to FLR.  Worth checking their website for your dates. Peter

Response:

I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price. ANyone know of a place I can get tix cheaper than the eurorail site? THANKS, Bob

Response:

I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price. ANyone know of a place I can get tix cheaper than the eurorail site?

Buying a ticket at the airport train station in Amsterdam would be cheaper than the Eurail site. Easier too. Or you could take a bus (e.g., www.eurolines.nl). Or fly (www.aerfares.net). miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu Latest addition: 80 photos from Guatemala

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price. ANyone know of a place I can get tix cheaper than the eurorail site? Buying a ticket at the airport train station in Amsterdam would be cheaper than the Eurail site. Easier too. Or you could take a bus (e.g., www.eurolines.nl). Or fly (www.aerfares.net). miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu Latest addition: 80 photos from Guatemala

My suggestion – one out of many – take EasyJet from Amsterdam to Nice and then continue by train from Nice via Genoa and Pisa to Florence. Italian rail fares are much cheaper than in North European countries. Cheers, Richard H. -Posted by Ozum (http://ozinsight.com/) -All-in-one yEnc newsreader, scanner and freeware autoposter.

Response:

I bought a cheap ticket from Charlotte to Amsterdam; however, once in Europe, I need to get to Florence. What’s the cheapest way to get there? I don’t feel I need a railpass, although for students they’re not too bad in price.

Look into the KLM special fares city to city.  The international train is very likely to be more expensive.  Bus (coach) fares will be cheaper and take longer, but it is likely you won’t find a direct line.

Response:

Look into the KLM special fares city to city.  The international train is very likely to be more expensive.  Bus (coach) fares will be cheaper and take longer, but it is likely you won’t find a direct line.

I’ll second that.  AMS-Florence is a hell of a schlep by train – 18 hours or so.  There are direct trains from Paris Bercy (Amsterdam to Paris is reasonably straightforward, either direct on the Thalys or regular train to Brussels and Thalys from there).  Meridiana (www.meridiana.it/english) offer fares from EUR18 (USD18) plus tax from AMS to FLR.  Worth checking their website for your dates. Peter

Response:

Question:

I would suggest a visit to a smaller city in Umbria, for instance Assisi or Orvieto. Both are easily reached by train. Both are full of medieval atmosphere. Orvieto is more tranquil, with few tourists. It has a beautiful gothic cathedral. Assisi has many splendid churches, as well as the famous Basilica of St. Francis, and is famed for its art. Barbara

I agree with Barbara – and on the way to Assisi you can stop on Lake Trasimeno (very picturesque villages, very tranquil, not too many tourists) and in Perugia. Elly

Response:

Here it is in toto! In a message dated 19-Jan-03 07:35:21 GMT Standard Time,

    I would really appreciate if you could send this info by return   e-mail.   Thanks heaps for your help. Happy to oblige. As you can appreciate, it is a bit frustrating to do a lot of work and not be able to deliver the answer.  I could post such replies, but as is the case here, it’s often rather long and I like to give the hyperlinks. I also operate on the theory that the more I post, the more spam I get. Anyway, that said, here is what I have found out:    Am I better off getting a train/bus from London/Stansted to Amsterdam or should I make the effort to find my way to Gatwick and catch the connecting flight?

There is train service to Amsterdam (see the German Rail site, where you can buy tickets but which does not give the prices, although I know they are fair). Unfortunately, it is very exotic, involving two transfers by public transport.  One change is in London, the other in Brussels.  Since you are not familiar with London, this might be a bit nerve-wracking, although it is not highly complicated. The better thing, I thought, would be to take the bus from Stanstead to Victoria Coach Station (see PS below). From there, you could walk, but taxi would be easier to the next place, which is Victoria Station for the Gatwick Express, about three blocks away.  Schedules and prices for the coach trip are at www.gobycoach.com  and the train schedules are at the German Rail site.  You buy your ticket on the train. The main complication in going via Gatwick may be having enough time to make the connection. Allow half an hour to get between the coach station and the Gatwick express although I think it will not take that long by taxi — more like ten or fifteen minutes. All this assumes the weather is OK so there are no major delays. Sorry to make it sound so complex.  It is not all that bad, really. PS: I see that the fastest way to get between Stanstead and Gatwick is to take the train (underground between Liverpool Street and London Bridge stations).  This takes one hour 35 minutes, more or less and apparently runs as frequently as the bus/train combination that goes though Victoria.  I had heard there was some problem on the train line between Stanstead and Liverpool Street, but perhaps that has been corrected. PPS: I was thinking there were cheap flights to Amsterdam from Luton, which is easier to reach from Stanstead, being on the same side of Metropolitan London.  So I checked www.aerfares.net and found there are good flights from Stanstead to Amsterdam on Buzz airlines!  Is there a reason these will not do (maybe wrong days)?  Alternatively, there are budget flights from Heathrow and direct bus connections from Stanstead to Heathrow.  Far easier!! PPPS: Just to complete the search, I checked for coach travel again. There is direct coach service from Stanstead to Gatwick (2h 30m to 3h 30m depending on time of day and which Gatwick terminal, both slower than the 1h 35m via trains and underground).  There is also coach service from Stanstead to Amsterdam Amstel Station (via London Victoria Coach Station) but that is a very long trip. Details for both at www.gobycoach.com . Anyway, it seems there are plenty of options!  Have a good trip! Larry in Berkeley

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those are both excellent suggestions.  I would say that Siena would be my first choice, since it is more manageable than Florence for a short trip (not to mention closer) but will give a full dose of Renaissance Italy. If you have only two days, I would consider Florence, that is easier to reach from Rome by train. While Siena is closer to Rome, it is not on a main train line and travel is slow. Siena needs a couple of hours more (going and coming back) than Florence and that means that most time of both days is spent travelling. Perugia could be another option (not as easily reached from Rome as Florence, but not difficult as Siena).

Response:

Those are both excellent suggestions.  I would say that Siena would be my first choice, since it is more manageable than Florence for a short trip (not to mention closer) but will give a full dose of Renaissance Italy.

If you have only two days, I would consider Florence, that is easier to reach from Rome by train. While Siena is closer to Rome, it is not on a main train line and travel is slow. Siena needs a couple of hours more (going and coming back) than Florence and that means that most time of both days is spent travelling. Perugia could be another option (not as easily reached from Rome as Florence, but not difficult as Siena).

Response:

My wife and I will be traveling to Rome in the second half of March and have 7 days there.  Our thinking is to spend 5 days seeing the various historical sites in Rome, and then to spend a couple days somewhere else fairly nearby (easily accessible via train).   Our flight then leaves from Rome. What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. Thanks. Jerry Please remove "unspam" from the beginning of this email address if responding to me by email.  Thanks. — JW

I would do Sorrento and from there visit Pompeii one day and someplace else on the coast e.g. Positano, Capri etc the second.  You can take a boat from there back to Naples and thence back to Rome There are many other wonderful spots.  If you wanted to do Tuscany as a side trip, you could go to Siena — it is sized right for a brief visit like this What we did on our week in Rome in May is rent a car one day and go Northwest to Tarquinia, Cerveteri etc and see the fascinating old Etruscan tomb sites and museum and then a bit of the countryside. another day trip out of Rome is Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este gardens — another is Ostia Antica.  These two don’t require uprooting but are day trips, so you could rent an apartment for a week in Rome and plan on some local side trips.  Rome really is a place where a week or two is easily filled with fascinating things to do.

Response:

Perhaps I should clarify that. It is a busy, modern town, although it still has itsmedieval walls and many medieval buildings. (Don’t expect anything like the hilltop towns – or rather villages – of Umbria.) Margaret Coffin

Response:

My wife and I will be traveling to Rome in the second half of March and have 7 days there.  Our thinking is to spend 5 days seeing the various historical sites in Rome, and then to spend a couple days somewhere else fairly nearby (easily accessible via train).   Our flight then leaves from Rome. What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. Thanks. Jerry Please remove "unspam" from the beginning of this email address if responding to me by email.  Thanks. — JW

Response:

What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  

Viterbo has a lot going for it, and is just too far from Rome to make a day trip worthwhile: two days would be ideal. It is essentially a medieval walled town. The popes lived here in the 13th century and there are some fine Gothic buildings. The Rocca Albornoz (courtyard and fountain by Bramante) houses an archeological museum with many exhibits relating to the Etruscans, who inhabited the area in pre-Roman times. Visit the Cathedral and the churches of S. Maria Nova, S. Sisto, Santa Rosa, S. Maria della Salute etc. Temporary exhibits are often held in the Gothic Palazzo dei Papi. The Museum of the Macchina di Santa Rosa houses the tower-like structures carried through the streets each year to celebrate the town’s patron saint. It is located in the Quartiere San Pellegrino, an area of the town with characteristic medieval buildings. Nearby Bagnaia (ten minutes away by local bus) has one of the most interesting Renaissance gardens in Latium, Villa Lante. The Renaissance sanctuary of S. Maria della Quercia can also be reached by bus. The church houses works by Andrea della Robbia and Andrea Bregno and there is a lovely cloister. San Martino al Cimino, also within the municipality of Viterbo, represents a Renaissance town-planning project superimposed on a medieval village. Around March 25, the Fiera dell’Annunziata (Fair of the Annunciation) will be taking place. Viterbo is easily reached by train from Rome, on the local railway known as FM3. There are trains every hour from Trastevere station (calling at Valle Aurelia, served by the Metro A). Note that the train goes to Porta Romana station in Viterbo. The journey takes just under two hours. (There is also a service on another line, from Piazzale Flaminio, but it takes longer and there are few trains.) As far as hotels are concerned, I have no personal experience. The Leon d’Or and the Tuscia are both centrally located three-stars. Try looking on www.venere.com for further details. The tourist information organisation for the Province of Viterbo (Promotuscia) is quite well-organised: visit their site at http://www.promotuscia.it/welcome_eng.html. Margaret Coffin InfoRoma – the Rome Experts Custom itinerary planning in Rome and Latium www.inforoma.it/inforoma.htm Please – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. Thanks. Jerry Please remove "unspam" from the beginning of this email address if responding to me by email.  Thanks. — JW

Response:

What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. I like heading into Umbria myself. Spoleto (some of cool Roman stuff) is a nice small city/large town to base from, or Perugia (interesting underground city and a good Estruscan museum. The grand terrace is great, too.). Assisi is nice, too. You could also go to Siena or even Florence (both in Tuscany) for a quickie visit.

Those are both excellent suggestions.  I would say that Siena would be my first choice, since it is more manageable than Florence for a short trip (not to mention closer) but will give a full dose of Renaissance Italy. I can recommend the Hotel Santa Caterina in your price range.  Actually, my first recommendation would be well under $100 per night, the Piccolo Hotel Etruria, if you want a decent room and some Italian warmth while saving a buck; hoever, it can be a bit noisy since it is right smack dab in the middle of town, less than 100 yards from the Campo.  You might want to take your breakfast somewhere else, too.  (The breakfast at S. Caterina is yummy.) — "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea.  If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."          - Abraham Lincoln

Response:

My wife and I will be traveling to Rome in the second half of March and have 7 days there.  Our thinking is to spend 5 days seeing the various historical sites in Rome, and then to spend a couple days somewhere else fairly nearby (easily accessible via train).   Our flight then leaves from Rome. What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them.

I don’t know what kind of getaway you would enjoy. I know that many people will suggest Tuscany or the Amalfi coast, so I’ll offer a lesser-known alternative. I would suggest a visit to a smaller city in Umbria, for instance Assisi or Orvieto. Both are easily reached by train. Both are full of medieval atmosphere. Orvieto is more tranquil, with few tourists. It has a beautiful gothic cathedral. Assisi has many splendid churches, as well as the famous Basilica of St. Francis, and is famed for its art. Barbara

Response:

What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them.

I like heading into Umbria myself. Spoleto (some of cool Roman stuff) is a nice small city/large town to base from, or Perugia (interesting underground city and a good Estruscan museum. The grand terrace is great, too.). Assisi is nice, too. You could also go to Siena or even Florence (both in Tuscany) for a quickie visit.

Response:

My wife and I will be traveling to Rome in the second half of March and have 7 days there.  Our thinking is to spend 5 days seeing the various historical sites in Rome, and then to spend a couple days somewhere else fairly nearby (easily accessible via train).   Our flight then leaves from Rome. What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. Thanks. Jerry Please remove "unspam" from the beginning of this email address if responding to me by email.  Thanks. — JW

Response:

My wife and I will be traveling to Rome in the second half of March and have 7 days there.  Our thinking is to spend 5 days seeing the various historical sites in Rome, and then to spend a couple days somewhere else fairly nearby (easily accessible via train).   Our flight then leaves from Rome. What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them.

I don’t know what kind of getaway you would enjoy. I know that many people will suggest Tuscany or the Amalfi coast, so I’ll offer a lesser-known alternative. I would suggest a visit to a smaller city in Umbria, for instance Assisi or Orvieto. Both are easily reached by train. Both are full of medieval atmosphere. Orvieto is more tranquil, with few tourists. It has a beautiful gothic cathedral. Assisi has many splendid churches, as well as the famous Basilica of St. Francis, and is famed for its art. Barbara

Response:

What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them.

I like heading into Umbria myself. Spoleto (some of cool Roman stuff) is a nice small city/large town to base from, or Perugia (interesting underground city and a good Estruscan museum. The grand terrace is great, too.). Assisi is nice, too. You could also go to Siena or even Florence (both in Tuscany) for a quickie visit.

Response:

What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. I like heading into Umbria myself. Spoleto (some of cool Roman stuff) is a nice small city/large town to base from, or Perugia (interesting underground city and a good Estruscan museum. The grand terrace is great, too.). Assisi is nice, too. You could also go to Siena or even Florence (both in Tuscany) for a quickie visit.

Those are both excellent suggestions.  I would say that Siena would be my first choice, since it is more manageable than Florence for a short trip (not to mention closer) but will give a full dose of Renaissance Italy. I can recommend the Hotel Santa Caterina in your price range.  Actually, my first recommendation would be well under $100 per night, the Piccolo Hotel Etruria, if you want a decent room and some Italian warmth while saving a buck; hoever, it can be a bit noisy since it is right smack dab in the middle of town, less than 100 yards from the Campo.  You might want to take your breakfast somewhere else, too.  (The breakfast at S. Caterina is yummy.) — "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea.  If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."          - Abraham Lincoln

Response:

What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  

Viterbo has a lot going for it, and is just too far from Rome to make a day trip worthwhile: two days would be ideal. It is essentially a medieval walled town. The popes lived here in the 13th century and there are some fine Gothic buildings. The Rocca Albornoz (courtyard and fountain by Bramante) houses an archeological museum with many exhibits relating to the Etruscans, who inhabited the area in pre-Roman times. Visit the Cathedral and the churches of S. Maria Nova, S. Sisto, Santa Rosa, S. Maria della Salute etc. Temporary exhibits are often held in the Gothic Palazzo dei Papi. The Museum of the Macchina di Santa Rosa houses the tower-like structures carried through the streets each year to celebrate the town’s patron saint. It is located in the Quartiere San Pellegrino, an area of the town with characteristic medieval buildings. Nearby Bagnaia (ten minutes away by local bus) has one of the most interesting Renaissance gardens in Latium, Villa Lante. The Renaissance sanctuary of S. Maria della Quercia can also be reached by bus. The church houses works by Andrea della Robbia and Andrea Bregno and there is a lovely cloister. San Martino al Cimino, also within the municipality of Viterbo, represents a Renaissance town-planning project superimposed on a medieval village. Around March 25, the Fiera dell’Annunziata (Fair of the Annunciation) will be taking place. Viterbo is easily reached by train from Rome, on the local railway known as FM3. There are trains every hour from Trastevere station (calling at Valle Aurelia, served by the Metro A). Note that the train goes to Porta Romana station in Viterbo. The journey takes just under two hours. (There is also a service on another line, from Piazzale Flaminio, but it takes longer and there are few trains.) As far as hotels are concerned, I have no personal experience. The Leon d’Or and the Tuscia are both centrally located three-stars. Try looking on www.venere.com for further details. The tourist information organisation for the Province of Viterbo (Promotuscia) is quite well-organised: visit their site at http://www.promotuscia.it/welcome_eng.html. Margaret Coffin InfoRoma – the Rome Experts Custom itinerary planning in Rome and Latium www.inforoma.it/inforoma.htm Please – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. Thanks. Jerry Please remove "unspam" from the beginning of this email address if responding to me by email.  Thanks. — JW

Response:

Perhaps I should clarify that. It is a busy, modern town, although it still has itsmedieval walls and many medieval buildings. (Don’t expect anything like the hilltop towns – or rather villages – of Umbria.) Margaret Coffin

Response:

Those are both excellent suggestions.  I would say that Siena would be my first choice, since it is more manageable than Florence for a short trip (not to mention closer) but will give a full dose of Renaissance Italy.

If you have only two days, I would consider Florence, that is easier to reach from Rome by train. While Siena is closer to Rome, it is not on a main train line and travel is slow. Siena needs a couple of hours more (going and coming back) than Florence and that means that most time of both days is spent travelling. Perugia could be another option (not as easily reached from Rome as Florence, but not difficult as Siena).

Response:

My wife and I will be traveling to Rome in the second half of March and have 7 days there.  Our thinking is to spend 5 days seeing the various historical sites in Rome, and then to spend a couple days somewhere else fairly nearby (easily accessible via train).   Our flight then leaves from Rome. What would be our best bet for a two-day excursion from Rome?  Please also recommend hotels there (around $150 U.S./day) if you know of them. Thanks. Jerry Please remove "unspam" from the beginning of this email address if responding to me by email.  Thanks. — JW

I would do Sorrento and from there visit Pompeii one day and someplace else on the coast e.g. Positano, Capri etc the second.  You can take a boat from there back to Naples and thence back to Rome There are many other wonderful spots.  If you wanted to do Tuscany as a side trip, you could go to Siena — it is sized right for a brief visit like this What we did on our week in Rome in May is rent a car one day and go Northwest to Tarquinia, Cerveteri etc and see the fascinating old Etruscan tomb sites and museum and then a bit of the countryside. another day trip out of Rome is Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este gardens — another is Ostia Antica.  These two don’t require uprooting but are day trips, so you could rent an apartment for a week in Rome and plan on some local side trips.  Rome really is a place where a week or two is easily filled with fascinating things to do.

Response:

I would suggest a visit to a smaller city in Umbria, for instance Assisi or Orvieto. Both are easily reached by train. Both are full of medieval atmosphere. Orvieto is more tranquil, with few tourists. It has a beautiful gothic cathedral. Assisi has many splendid churches, as well as the famous Basilica of St. Francis, and is famed for its art. Barbara

I agree with Barbara – and on the way to Assisi you can stop on Lake Trasimeno (very picturesque villages, very tranquil, not too many tourists) and in Perugia. Elly

Response:

Here it is in toto! In a message dated 19-Jan-03 07:35:21 GMT Standard Time,

    I would really appreciate if you could send this info by return   e-mail.   Thanks heaps for your help. Happy to oblige. As you can appreciate, it is a bit frustrating to do a lot of work and not be able to deliver the answer.  I could post such replies, but as is the case here, it’s often rather long and I like to give the hyperlinks. I also operate on the theory that the more I post, the more spam I get. Anyway, that said, here is what I have found out:    Am I better off getting a train/bus from London/Stansted to Amsterdam or should I make the effort to find my way to Gatwick and catch the connecting flight?

There is train service to Amsterdam (see the German Rail site, where you can buy tickets but which does not give the prices, although I know they are fair). Unfortunately, it is very exotic, involving two transfers by public transport.  One change is in London, the other in Brussels.  Since you are not familiar with London, this might be a bit nerve-wracking, although it is not highly complicated. The better thing, I thought, would be to take the bus from Stanstead to Victoria Coach Station (see PS below). From there, you could walk, but taxi would be easier to the next place, which is Victoria Station for the Gatwick Express, about three blocks away.  Schedules and prices for the coach trip are at www.gobycoach.com  and the train schedules are at the German Rail site.  You buy your ticket on the train. The main complication in going via Gatwick may be having enough time to make the connection. Allow half an hour to get between the coach station and the Gatwick express although I think it will not take that long by taxi — more like ten or fifteen minutes. All this assumes the weather is OK so there are no major delays. Sorry to make it sound so complex.  It is not all that bad, really. PS: I see that the fastest way to get between Stanstead and Gatwick is to take the train (underground between Liverpool Street and London Bridge stations).  This takes one hour 35 minutes, more or less and apparently runs as frequently as the bus/train combination that goes though Victoria.  I had heard there was some problem on the train line between Stanstead and Liverpool Street, but perhaps that has been corrected. PPS: I was thinking there were cheap flights to Amsterdam from Luton, which is easier to reach from Stanstead, being on the same side of Metropolitan London.  So I checked www.aerfares.net and found there are good flights from Stanstead to Amsterdam on Buzz airlines!  Is there a reason these will not do (maybe wrong days)?  Alternatively, there are budget flights from Heathrow and direct bus connections from Stanstead to Heathrow.  Far easier!! PPPS: Just to complete the search, I checked for coach travel again. There is direct coach service from Stanstead to Gatwick (2h 30m to 3h 30m depending on time of day and which Gatwick terminal, both slower than the 1h 35m via trains and underground).  There is also coach service from Stanstead to Amsterdam Amstel Station (via London Victoria Coach Station) but that is a very long trip. Details for both at www.gobycoach.com . Anyway, it seems there are plenty of options!  Have a good trip! Larry in Berkeley

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those are both excellent suggestions.  I would say that Siena would be my first choice, since it is more manageable than Florence for a short trip (not to mention closer) but will give a full dose of Renaissance Italy. If you have only two days, I would consider Florence, that is easier to reach from Rome by train. While Siena is closer to Rome, it is not on a main train line and travel is slow. Siena needs a couple of hours more (going and coming back) than Florence and that means that most time of both days is spent travelling. Perugia could be another option (not as easily reached from Rome as Florence, but not difficult as Siena).

Response:

Question:

I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa? 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip? 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?.

You need a single entry visa from the Schengen country that you will spent most time in. So if you plan to spend 5 days in Belgium and 6 days in France you need to apply for the visa at the French Consulate/Embassy. It doesn’t matter that you will arrive in and depart from Brussels. If you are planning to spend the same number of days in both countries you will need to apply at the Belgian Consulate/Embassy, because in that case the rule is that you need to apply at the Consulate/Embassy of the country in which you will enter Schengen. Sjoerd

Response:

1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa?

You won’t need a multi-entry Schengen visa because you will actually enter the Schengen area only once. Both France and Belgium belong to Schengen area. Opinions expressed here are my own and may not represent those of my employer.

Response:

As if it were needed, I can confirm the answers below are correct. Or, as they say, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. (Generally you get a Schengen visa for your main destination. Paris seems here to be an incidental journey. As you are buying a return ticket even  if the CRS (who look for drugs smuggling from Amsterdam on many Belgium-France trains) will have no problem with your documents.) Bon voyage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Billy schrieb: I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa? Belgian single entry, IIUC. 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip? Does not apply. 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?. http://www.thalys.com Regards, ULF

Response:

Billy schrieb: I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa?

Belgian single entry, IIUC. 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip?

Does not apply. 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?.

http://www.thalys.com Regards, ULF

Response:

I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa? 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip? 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?. Any help regarding this will be appreciated. Thanks, Bill.

Response:

I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa? 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip? 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?. Any help regarding this will be appreciated. Thanks, Bill.

Response:

Billy schrieb: I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa?

Belgian single entry, IIUC. 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip?

Does not apply. 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?.

http://www.thalys.com Regards, ULF

Response:

1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa?

You won’t need a multi-entry Schengen visa because you will actually enter the Schengen area only once. Both France and Belgium belong to Schengen area. Opinions expressed here are my own and may not represent those of my employer.

Response:

As if it were needed, I can confirm the answers below are correct. Or, as they say, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. (Generally you get a Schengen visa for your main destination. Paris seems here to be an incidental journey. As you are buying a return ticket even  if the CRS (who look for drugs smuggling from Amsterdam on many Belgium-France trains) will have no problem with your documents.) Bon voyage – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Billy schrieb: I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa? Belgian single entry, IIUC. 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip? Does not apply. 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?. http://www.thalys.com Regards, ULF

Response:

I am an Indian national intending to visit France and Belgium and hence I need to apply for a Schengen visa. My queries are based on my itinerary. I intend to fly to Brussels stay there for a couple of days, visit Paris(travelling to Paris by rail or bus) and return back to Brussels and fly out from Brussels. 1. Will I need a multi-entry Schengen visa for this or will it suffice if I have a Single-entry Schengen visa? 2. Since I am travelling to Paris by rail/bus, I won’t be able to produce travel tickets from Brussels to Paris, since I will buy this only when I reach Brussels. So will I be refused a multi-entry visa since I cannot provide travel tickets as evidence for the Brussels-Paris leg of my trip? 3. Is there any web-site where I can buy rail/bus tickets from Brussels to Paris online?.

You need a single entry visa from the Schengen country that you will spent most time in. So if you plan to spend 5 days in Belgium and 6 days in France you need to apply for the visa at the French Consulate/Embassy. It doesn’t matter that you will arrive in and depart from Brussels. If you are planning to spend the same number of days in both countries you will need to apply at the Belgian Consulate/Embassy, because in that case the rule is that you need to apply at the Consulate/Embassy of the country in which you will enter Schengen. Sjoerd

Response:

Question:

Hi, am visiting Paris in a week’s time and have got nearly a week on my hands. Initially wanted to go around Paris and may be onto Nice or Bordeaux, but am now more interested (no offence to those lovely places ) in taking a day’s (or two) trip to EITHER ONE of the bordering countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Spain). I was wondering if it might be possible for anyone to help me out.  I would appreciate any advice on the subject, any ideas and most importantly the means of transportation to get there and roughly the cost of the ticket (have heard quite a deal about their remarkable rail network). I am a bit tight on budget but would most certainly not like to miss out on the opportunity as can’t see any leisure trips planned for myself for another year or so  :) Thanks. kaka

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, am visiting Paris in a week’s time and have got nearly a week on my hands. Initially wanted to go around Paris and may be onto Nice or Bordeaux, but am now more interested (no offence to those lovely places ) in taking a day’s (or two) trip to EITHER ONE of the bordering countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Spain). I was wondering if it might be possible for anyone to help me out.  I would appreciate any advice on the subject, any ideas and most importantly the means of transportation to get there and roughly the cost of the ticket (have heard quite a deal about their remarkable rail network). I am a bit tight on budget but would most certainly not like to miss out on the opportunity as can’t see any leisure trips planned for myself for another year or so  :) Thanks. kaka

Switzerland-easily reached by train esp Paris to Geneva, but Switzerland is notoriously expensive. Germany- a bit of a stretch to either Berlin or Munich (or the ski country neat the Austrian Border Belgium- I love Belgium but the weather won’t be any better Spain quite a hike for two days Italy- see Spain It would be easier to go to Provence if you want a bit warmer weather (TGV about 100 euro (roughly go to www.sncf.com for a real idea look Paris to Avignon or Aix en Provence) Lyon is nice for a two day "escape" as well

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, am visiting Paris in a week’s time and have got nearly a week on my hands. Initially wanted to go around Paris and may be onto Nice or Bordeaux, but am now more interested (no offence to those lovely places ) in taking a day’s (or two) trip to EITHER ONE of the bordering countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Spain). I was wondering if it might be possible for anyone to help me out.  I would appreciate any advice on the subject, any ideas and most importantly the means of transportation to get there and roughly the cost of the ticket (have heard quite a deal about their remarkable rail network). I am a bit tight on budget but would most certainly not like to miss out on the opportunity as can’t see any leisure trips planned for myself for another year or so  :) Thanks. kaka

At this time of year, we can highly recommend visiting a Christmas market in Germany. The train will cost you about $60 round-trip and you can find a hotel for $50 a night if you aren’t too picky. We did exactly that this time last year and you can read about it on our web site: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~kragsdale/France4_3.htm Terry & Kathie Richards

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, am visiting Paris in a week’s time and have got nearly a week on my hands. Initially wanted to go around Paris and may be onto Nice or Bordeaux, but am now more interested (no offence to those lovely places ) in taking a day’s (or two) trip to EITHER ONE of the bordering countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Spain). I was wondering if it might be possible for anyone to help me out.  I would appreciate any advice on the subject, any ideas and most importantly the means of transportation to get there and roughly the cost of the ticket (have heard quite a deal about their remarkable rail network). I am a bit tight on budget but would most certainly not like to miss out on the opportunity as can’t see any leisure trips planned for myself for another year or so  :) Thanks. kaka At this time of year, we can highly recommend visiting a Christmas market in Germany. The train will cost you about $60 round-trip and you can find a hotel for $50 a night if you aren’t too picky. We did exactly that this time last year and you can read about it on our web site: http://www.home.earthlink.net/~kragsdale/France4_3.htm Terry & Kathie Richards

Where in Germany can you make a roundtrip from Paris for $60? Ryan

Response:

-0800: Hi, am visiting Paris in a week’s time and have got nearly a week on my hands. Initially wanted to go around Paris and may be onto Nice or Bordeaux, but am now more interested (no offence to those lovely places ) in taking a day’s (or two) trip to EITHER ONE of the bordering countries (Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Italy or Spain). I was wondering if it might be possible for anyone to help me out.  I would appreciate any advice on the subject, any ideas and most importantly the means of transportation to get there and roughly the cost of the ticket (have heard quite a deal about their remarkable rail network). I am a bit tight on budget but would most certainly not like to miss out on the opportunity as can’t see any leisure trips planned for myself for another year or so  :)

You could try Amsterdam. It’s not technically in a neighboring country, but you pass through Belgium in only a couple of hours. The TGV leaves Paris and arrives in Brussels in about 2 hours if I remember correctly. Then transfer at Brussels for another 3 hours to Amsterdam. Cost: about

Question:

Night trains do exist for the routes you are interested in: For example: Amsterdam Centraal depart 20h13 arrive Berlin Zoologischer Garten 0636 (no changes)

But this train will not run anymore in the new timetable, which starts on 15 December. NS (Dutch Railways) decided to cancel several international trains, because they don’t generate enough money. Groeten, Siebrand

Response:

I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd.

Raileurope by no means shows all trains. The last time I checked for a few selected routes in Italy, they only showed about a third of the trains. They charged the same for all types of trains, which means they made more money on the cheaper trains, and Guess What, that’s the type of train that was over-represented. I highly recommend that you not buy your tickets from this rail ripoff service. Barbara

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd. I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them. Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or book online would be great as well.

There are still plenty of night trains in Europe. Just have a look at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en     L.P

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night  train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of  my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for  longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast  journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the  day, which seems a little odd.  I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest  and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them.  Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have  they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or  book online would be great as well. According to the DB site (probably the best overall for Europe), the Roma-Paris night train still exists.  I know that there are others, as well.  Perhaps RailEurope doesn’t handle them any longer, but most people would recommend not booking with them anyway, as their prices are inflated. Take a look at <http://bahn.hafas.de, and you can search for rail connections throughout Europe.  I believe that you can book online, as well, though the procedure is more complicated for those outside of Germany.

Exactly what Greg said. On the hafas page, there’s a section "Verkehrsmittelwahl", below which, to the right is a button "Erweitert". On that page, under "Verkehrsmittelwahl" is the drop-down list under "Weitere Optionen " there you can select "Direktverbindungen mit Schlafwagen" and "…mit Liegewagen" Tim.

Response:

Hi Enzof, Night trains do exist for the routes you are interested in: For example: Paris Bercy depart 19h27 daily arrive Roma Termini 11h50 (no changes) Amsterdam Centraal depart 20h13 arrive Berlin Zoologischer Garten 0636 (no changes) Praha hl.n. depart 23h22 daily arrive Budapest-Nyugati pun 0805 (no changes) [data for 4th December 2002 located on www.ns.nl] Regards, Clive

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd. I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them. Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or book online would be great as well. thanks enzosf

Response:

I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd. I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them. Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or book online would be great as well. thanks enzosf

Response:

 I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night  train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of  my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for  longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast  journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the  day, which seems a little odd.  I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest  and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them.  Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have  they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or  book online would be great as well.

According to the DB site (probably the best overall for Europe), the Roma-Paris night train still exists.  I know that there are others, as well.  Perhaps RailEurope doesn’t handle them any longer, but most people would recommend not booking with them anyway, as their prices are inflated. Take a look at <http://bahn.hafas.de, and you can search for rail connections throughout Europe.  I believe that you can book online, as well, though the procedure is more complicated for those outside of Germany.   — hate spam? <http://www.cauce.org            <http://www.byshenk.net/ive.been.spammed.html

Response:

I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd. I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them. Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or book online would be great as well. thanks enzosf

Response:

 I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night  train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of  my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for  longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast  journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the  day, which seems a little odd.  I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest  and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them.  Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have  they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or  book online would be great as well.

According to the DB site (probably the best overall for Europe), the Roma-Paris night train still exists.  I know that there are others, as well.  Perhaps RailEurope doesn’t handle them any longer, but most people would recommend not booking with them anyway, as their prices are inflated. Take a look at <http://bahn.hafas.de, and you can search for rail connections throughout Europe.  I believe that you can book online, as well, though the procedure is more complicated for those outside of Germany.   — hate spam? <http://www.cauce.org            <http://www.byshenk.net/ive.been.spammed.html

Response:

Hi Enzof, Night trains do exist for the routes you are interested in: For example: Paris Bercy depart 19h27 daily arrive Roma Termini 11h50 (no changes) Amsterdam Centraal depart 20h13 arrive Berlin Zoologischer Garten 0636 (no changes) Praha hl.n. depart 23h22 daily arrive Budapest-Nyugati pun 0805 (no changes) [data for 4th December 2002 located on www.ns.nl] Regards, Clive

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd. I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them. Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or book online would be great as well. thanks enzosf

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –  I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night  train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of  my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for  longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast  journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the  day, which seems a little odd.  I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest  and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them.  Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have  they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or  book online would be great as well. According to the DB site (probably the best overall for Europe), the Roma-Paris night train still exists.  I know that there are others, as well.  Perhaps RailEurope doesn’t handle them any longer, but most people would recommend not booking with them anyway, as their prices are inflated. Take a look at <http://bahn.hafas.de, and you can search for rail connections throughout Europe.  I believe that you can book online, as well, though the procedure is more complicated for those outside of Germany.

Exactly what Greg said. On the hafas page, there’s a section "Verkehrsmittelwahl", below which, to the right is a button "Erweitert". On that page, under "Verkehrsmittelwahl" is the drop-down list under "Weitere Optionen " there you can select "Direktverbindungen mit Schlafwagen" and "…mit Liegewagen" Tim.

Response:

I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd.

Raileurope by no means shows all trains. The last time I checked for a few selected routes in Italy, they only showed about a third of the trains. They charged the same for all types of trains, which means they made more money on the cheaper trains, and Guess What, that’s the type of train that was over-represented. I highly recommend that you not buy your tickets from this rail ripoff service. Barbara

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have noticed on raileurope and other euro-rail booking sources that night train services, (or at least listings on these services) are gone.  One of my favored ways to travel was to book a night train with a couchette for longer journeys, but on most sites I only see the typical super-fast journeys.  I see couchette bookings but for these 4-6 hour trips during the day, which seems a little odd. I am particularly interested in the over Rome to Paris, Prague to Budapest and Amsterdam to Berlin but can’t seem to find them. Anyone know, do they still exist (this was just a few years ago) or have they gone, or can they only be booked in person?  Anyplace I can see and/or book online would be great as well.

There are still plenty of night trains in Europe. Just have a look at http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/en     L.P

Response:

Night trains do exist for the routes you are interested in: For example: Amsterdam Centraal depart 20h13 arrive Berlin Zoologischer Garten 0636 (no changes)

But this train will not run anymore in the new timetable, which starts on 15 December. NS (Dutch Railways) decided to cancel several international trains, because they don’t generate enough money. Groeten, Siebrand

Response:

Question:

let us in on their opinion by saying: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I am following you correctly, you are advocating taking a train Germany purchasing the Flexipass for our travel within Germany.  Is this correct? As Martin Stock just said, get the German Flexipass now (here’s one site http://www.railpass.com/ ).  If it were me, I would pick up the Amsterdam-GermanBorder tickets in Amsterdam–both for the outbound and the return, unless you think your plans might change.  Before you do that, you will have to know the routing you will take into Germany, so check out the train schedules first so you can tell the Dutch rail counter agent (they are very capable and will speak English) what your routing will be, and she can charge you the appropriate fare.  I suppose you could pick up the ticket on the train in Holland–but I think they charge additional if you purchase on the train.  At least that’s what the sign said when I was reading it in Holland two weeks ago. Herborn: http://www.herborn.de/e/index.html http://www.herborn.de/d/kontakt/weg.html (map) Return ticket for Amsterdam – German Border: I was just about writing the same, but than I checked the NS web site. There seems to be only a day return ticket (obviously valid only 1 day) and a weekend return ticket (valid up to 7 days). Both are not of use in this case. I’ll guess you can buy a single ticket German Border – Amsterdam in advance if you’re sure about the day returning. If you buy the ticket on train there is a (small) fee for that, but eventually this is the most hassle free way. Ohterwise you can buy an intenational ticket from the last German stop to Amsterdam at a railway station in Germany, but this option will not coming cheaper.

Thank you very much Martin.  I was having a really hard time finding that information.  My family lore is a little weak but supposedly my great-grandfather was from Herborn.   It is also my family name.  I don’t know if it is my true family name because US immigration officials often changed peoples family name to their ton if they couldn’t spell it.  I do know that there are very few Herborns in the US and almost all that I am aware of are family members of some type.   Being the last male with no male heirs (only daughters) the name goes with me when I shuffle off.  So I have been trying to get a little history to document a family tree for my daughters. — ZombyWoof `99 FXSTC

Response:

Were exactly is Herborn?  I can’t find it on any map.  Is there another name or portion to the name?

You can look it up here:  http://www.shellgeostar.com/share/ which actually lists two of them in Germany.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – If I am following you correctly, you are advocating taking a train Germany purchasing the Flexipass for our travel within Germany.  Is this correct? As Martin Stock just said, get the German Flexipass now (here’s one site http://www.railpass.com/ ).  If it were me, I would pick up the Amsterdam-GermanBorder tickets in Amsterdam–both for the outbound and the return, unless you think your plans might change.  Before you do that, you will have to know the routing you will take into Germany, so check out the train schedules first so you can tell the Dutch rail counter agent (they are very capable and will speak English) what your routing will be, and she can charge you the appropriate fare.  I suppose you could pick up the ticket on the train in Holland–but I think they charge additional if you purchase on the train.  At least that’s what the sign said when I was reading it in Holland two weeks ago.

Herborn: http://www.herborn.de/e/index.html http://www.herborn.de/d/kontakt/weg.html (map) Return ticket for Amsterdam – German Border: I was just about writing the same, but than I checked the NS web site. There seems to be only a day return ticket (obviously valid only 1 day) and a weekend return ticket (valid up to 7 days). Both are not of use in this case. I’ll guess you can buy a single ticket German Border – Amsterdam in advance if you’re sure about the day returning. If you buy the ticket on train there is a (small) fee for that, but eventually this is the most hassle free way. Ohterwise you can buy an intenational ticket from the last German stop to Amsterdam at a railway station in Germany, but this option will not coming cheaper.

Response:

If I am following you correctly, you are advocating taking a train Germany purchasing the Flexipass for our travel within Germany.  Is this correct?

As Martin Stock just said, get the German Flexipass now (here’s one site http://www.railpass.com/ ).  If it were me, I would pick up the Amsterdam-GermanBorder tickets in Amsterdam–both for the outbound and the return, unless you think your plans might change.  Before you do that, you will have to know the routing you will take into Germany, so check out the train schedules first so you can tell the Dutch rail counter agent (they are very capable and will speak English) what your routing will be, and she can charge you the appropriate fare.  I suppose you could pick up the ticket on the train in Holland–but I think they charge additional if you purchase on the train.  At least that’s what the sign said when I was reading it in Holland two weeks ago.

Response:

let us in on their opinion by saying: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – saying: In two weeks I will be leaving for an eleven day business trip with stops in Amsterdam Netherlands, Karlsruhe Germany, Berlin Germany, Herborn Germany and then back to Amsterdam for departure. The German Flexipass will be a real steal–particularly if you are travelling together at all times.  A 2nd-class twin pass (two people travelling together) for 4 days of travel of your choosing is only $135 per person.  Extra days are under $20 each, so if you plan to do even very short side-trips it’s worth buying the extra days.  Then it will cost anywhere between $15 and $30 per person for the additional portion between Amsterdam and the German border (depending on your routing).  This is much cheaper than getting a railpass that includes Holland.  Have a look at Flexipass prices, and a point-to-point rail cost map for Germany at: http://www.ricksteves.com/rail/germany.htm Thanks, just the type of info I was looking for. If I am following you correctly, you are advocating taking a train Germany purchasing the Flexipass for our travel within Germany.  Is this correct? You should buy the GermanRailTwinPass in advance. It can only be obtained at a few station in Germany (e.g. D

Question:

On the other hand, at my next destination, Amsterdam, for some reason I didn’t think of trying the same technique for my next ticket; I had arrived at the Central Station and I just bought it there.  This was an international ticket and that meant that even though it was unreserved I had to go to the rail travel bureau for it.  And there I had to take a number and wait for more than an hour. Right, there are often long waiting lines at the international office in Amsterdam. However, Amsterdam Amstel (another station) also has an international desk, and from my observation, it’s often not very busy there. So perhaps it’s wiser to try there…

I don’t know about other countries, but in Germany you can make reservations from anywhere to anywhere at any station large enough to have a live person with a computer behind a counter. It doesn’t have to be the station you’re actually standing in. — Mary Loomer Oliver(aka erilar) Erilar’s Cave Annex: http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo

Response:

Glen Black writes: From my own experience…in most large cities the easiest way to stand in line at the station is go late in the evening when most everyone has gone where they are going and before the windows close. …

However, at some stations there is a separate office for reservations (sometimes with a name like "rail travel bureau") and it may close in the evening.  So if you’re arriving at the station and planning to return there and make reservations later, check that out. Note also that you sometimes don’t have to go to a large station to make reservations.  For instance, a couple of years ago I was in Paris, at a station on one of the RER (suburban) lines that’s operated by the SNCF rather than the RATP.  I noticed that it had a rail travel bureau, went in, and had myself a Thalys ticket and reservation in a few minutes. On the other hand, at my next destination, Amsterdam, for some reason I didn’t think of trying the same technique for my next ticket; I had arrived at the Central Station and I just bought it there.  This was an international ticket and that meant that even though it was unreserved I had to go to the rail travel bureau for it.  And there I had to take a number and wait for more than an hour. — Mark Brader, Toronto | "Gadgetry abounded everywhere, almost all of which My text in this article is in the public domain.

Response:

No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window.

   BUT once you get there you can reserve well ahead. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.

It’s not a lot of fun having to give up your seat every time the train stops because someone turns up with a reservation for that seat if you’re on the train for a considerable distance. This can easily happen on the express trains, and the last time I was in Germany there was no way to know which seats WERE reserved on the ICE because ALL the little red signs said "possibly reserved". — Mary Loomer Oliver(aka erilar) Erilar’s Cave Annex: http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo

Response:

On the other hand, at my next destination, Amsterdam, for some reason I didn’t think of trying the same technique for my next ticket; I had arrived at the Central Station and I just bought it there.  This was an international ticket and that meant that even though it was unreserved I had to go to the rail travel bureau for it.  And there I had to take a number and wait for more than an hour.

Right, there are often long waiting lines at the international office in Amsterdam. However, Amsterdam Amstel (another station) also has an international desk, and from my observation, it’s often not very busy there. So perhaps it’s wiser to try there… Regards, David

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window. Thanks for the info. I’ll go to the window when I get there. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places. I agree that that’s a fun way to travel — done that many times myself. It’s always an adventure to arrive in a new city with no set accomodations or itinery. However, on this trip I’ll be traveling with my wife and three year old daughter, and we’ve already got hotel reservations in several cities. I’d like to make sure that we have seats together for each of the train legs between the cities. To the ticket window! -Bob

From my own experience…in most large cities the easiest way to stand in line at the station is go late in the evening when most everyone has gone where they are going and before the windows close. Works for me most of the time. glen b.

Response:

I found it was only necessary to make reservations for High speed trains like Thalys and if you wanted an overnight couchette or sleeper. All others had plenty of seats . I assume that your pass is first class!!! Supplements were only required on those that serve a meal in first class ticket price and they were about $8AUD ($40 Danish Kroner) Reservations were a little more at 46 DKK ($9-$10.00 AUD) (June 2002). From memory if we had paid for them in Frnce it cost a bit more, thastsd why we paid for them in Denmark. One thing no one told us, is that if you land in Paris Nord off of the Thalys with the eurorailpass then going to the  train informatin counter they gave us a one trip free ticket to get to the nearest station (Gard) to our hotel… worth knowing. Jim Greetings from Adelaide, Sth. Australia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.           L.P

Response:

The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window.

Thanks for the info. I’ll go to the window when I get there. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.

I agree that that’s a fun way to travel — done that many times myself. It’s always an adventure to arrive in a new city with no set accomodations or itinery. However, on this trip I’ll be traveling with my wife and three year old daughter, and we’ve already got hotel reservations in several cities. I’d like to make sure that we have seats together for each of the train legs between the cities. To the ticket window! -Bob

Response:

The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). TIA for any advice, -Bob

Response:

The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets).

No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.           L.P

Response:

The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). TIA for any advice, -Bob

Response:

The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets).

No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.           L.P

Response:

The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window.

Thanks for the info. I’ll go to the window when I get there. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.

I agree that that’s a fun way to travel — done that many times myself. It’s always an adventure to arrive in a new city with no set accomodations or itinery. However, on this trip I’ll be traveling with my wife and three year old daughter, and we’ve already got hotel reservations in several cities. I’d like to make sure that we have seats together for each of the train legs between the cities. To the ticket window! -Bob

Response:

I found it was only necessary to make reservations for High speed trains like Thalys and if you wanted an overnight couchette or sleeper. All others had plenty of seats . I assume that your pass is first class!!! Supplements were only required on those that serve a meal in first class ticket price and they were about $8AUD ($40 Danish Kroner) Reservations were a little more at 46 DKK ($9-$10.00 AUD) (June 2002). From memory if we had paid for them in Frnce it cost a bit more, thastsd why we paid for them in Denmark. One thing no one told us, is that if you land in Paris Nord off of the Thalys with the eurorailpass then going to the  train informatin counter they gave us a one trip free ticket to get to the nearest station (Gard) to our hotel… worth knowing. Jim Greetings from Adelaide, Sth. Australia

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.           L.P

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The three of us will be traveling to Europe in a little more than a month. We’ve got Eurailpasses, but don’t have reservations on any specific trains as of yet. Is it possible to make those reservations online? (url please, if so.) I tried looking at bahn.de but didn’t see anything to just make reservations (without actually buying tickets). No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window. Thanks for the info. I’ll go to the window when I get there. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places. I agree that that’s a fun way to travel — done that many times myself. It’s always an adventure to arrive in a new city with no set accomodations or itinery. However, on this trip I’ll be traveling with my wife and three year old daughter, and we’ve already got hotel reservations in several cities. I’d like to make sure that we have seats together for each of the train legs between the cities. To the ticket window! -Bob

From my own experience…in most large cities the easiest way to stand in line at the station is go late in the evening when most everyone has gone where they are going and before the windows close. Works for me most of the time. glen b.

Response:

Glen Black writes: From my own experience…in most large cities the easiest way to stand in line at the station is go late in the evening when most everyone has gone where they are going and before the windows close. …

However, at some stations there is a separate office for reservations (sometimes with a name like "rail travel bureau") and it may close in the evening.  So if you’re arriving at the station and planning to return there and make reservations later, check that out. Note also that you sometimes don’t have to go to a large station to make reservations.  For instance, a couple of years ago I was in Paris, at a station on one of the RER (suburban) lines that’s operated by the SNCF rather than the RATP.  I noticed that it had a rail travel bureau, went in, and had myself a Thalys ticket and reservation in a few minutes. On the other hand, at my next destination, Amsterdam, for some reason I didn’t think of trying the same technique for my next ticket; I had arrived at the Central Station and I just bought it there.  This was an international ticket and that meant that even though it was unreserved I had to go to the rail travel bureau for it.  And there I had to take a number and wait for more than an hour. — Mark Brader, Toronto | "Gadgetry abounded everywhere, almost all of which My text in this article is in the public domain.

Response:

On the other hand, at my next destination, Amsterdam, for some reason I didn’t think of trying the same technique for my next ticket; I had arrived at the Central Station and I just bought it there.  This was an international ticket and that meant that even though it was unreserved I had to go to the rail travel bureau for it.  And there I had to take a number and wait for more than an hour.

Right, there are often long waiting lines at the international office in Amsterdam. However, Amsterdam Amstel (another station) also has an international desk, and from my observation, it’s often not very busy there. So perhaps it’s wiser to try there… Regards, David

Response:

No AFAIK there’s no such way to make reservations online only so you have to see the ticket window.

   BUT once you get there you can reserve well ahead. Anyway in my opinion the most fun way of travelling with a railpass is to travel without reservations and make the decisions from day to day.  Just go down to the rail station and have a look what’s available. Perhaps you’ll sometimes end up in places you didn’t know existed. And bear in mind you’re more likely to get inexpensive accommodation at smaller places.

It’s not a lot of fun having to give up your seat every time the train stops because someone turns up with a reservation for that seat if you’re on the train for a considerable distance. This can easily happen on the express trains, and the last time I was in Germany there was no way to know which seats WERE reserved on the ICE because ALL the little red signs said "possibly reserved". — Mary Loomer Oliver(aka erilar) Erilar’s Cave Annex: http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo

Response:

On the other hand, at my next destination, Amsterdam, for some reason I didn’t think of trying the same technique for my next ticket; I had arrived at the Central Station and I just bought it there.  This was an international ticket and that meant that even though it was unreserved I had to go to the rail travel bureau for it.  And there I had to take a number and wait for more than an hour. Right, there are often long waiting lines at the international office in Amsterdam. However, Amsterdam Amstel (another station) also has an international desk, and from my observation, it’s often not very busy there. So perhaps it’s wiser to try there…

I don’t know about other countries, but in Germany you can make reservations from anywhere to anywhere at any station large enough to have a live person with a computer behind a counter. It doesn’t have to be the station you’re actually standing in. — Mary Loomer Oliver(aka erilar) Erilar’s Cave Annex: http://www.airstreamcomm.net/~erilarlo

Response: